State Studies Traffic

Speed A Concern On Route 669

ISLE OF WIGHT — In response to residents' concerns over speeding motorists, the Virginia Department of Transportation is conducting a study of traffic on Route 669 outside Smithfield.

The street, once a quiet dirt road, has become a popular shortcut to Route 17 and the James River Bridge, making it dangerous for motorists entering and leaving their driveways, according to some residents.

To fight the problem, residents circulated a petition asking VDOT to lower the speed limit on the stretch from 55 to 45 mph. Hilda S. Musick, who organized the petition drive, collected 99 signatures, which she presented to the Board of Supervisors earlier this month.

Everyone who was approached with the petitions signed, she said.

VDOT technicians set up a machine to count the traffic Tuesday morning.

The machine, which uses two air hoses stretched in the roadway, counts the number of cars passing and calculates their speed.

The device will probably be removed after about 24 hours.

Musick has lived on Route 669 since 1969.

She remembers when only one car every five minutes passed her house. Now cars pass every few seconds.

"You take your life in your hands getting out of your driveway," Musick said. "I used to walk. I used to ride my bike. It's not safe. They go too fast."

Residents attribute the increase in traffic to growth in the area.

Pam Glanville has lived on Route 669 for three years.

"The traffic has really picked up just since we've been here," Glanville

said.

Stephany Hanshaw, regional traffic engineer, said the traffic study will take into account factors like the condition, width and curvature of the road, in addition to the number and speed of cars.

In calculating the speed of motorists along the road, VDOT takes an average speed for the slowest 85 percent of the traffic.

Hanshaw said the underlying assumption of the study is that most drivers are reasonable and drive at speeds they feel are safe and comfortable.

If the study shows most drivers are driving at 45 mph, VDOT might recommend the speed limit be lowered.

But if the study shows most drivers are driving at 55 - assuming factors like road condition are acceptable - lowering the speed limit probably wouldn't be productive, Hanshaw said.

"It doesn't do a whole lot," Hanshaw said. "We have study upon study...that proves that posting a sign doesn't do much to lower the speed of vehicles."

In such a case, lowering the speed limit would create a speed trap, placing a burden on law enforcement officials.

"There's really not much you can do that involves speeding vehicles," Hanshaw said.

He added that the road has not been a major problem as far as accidents are concerned.

The results of the study should be tabulated today and a decision on the speed limit should be reached by Friday.

If VDOT officials recommend the speed limit be changed, the recommendation would be passed to the state transportation commissioner.